Abstract: A bone positioning guide may be used as part of a bunion correction procedure. The bone positioning guide can include a bone engagement member configured to be positioned on a medial side of a first metatarsal of a foot and a tip separated from the bone engagement member by a distance effective to position the tip on a lateral side of a second metatarsal and in an intermetatarsal space between the second metatarsal and a third metatarsal. The bone positioning guide can also include a mechanism operable to reduce the distance between the bone engagement member and the tip, thereby causing the first metatarsal to move in at least a transverse plane to reduce an intermetatarsal angle between the first metatarsal and the second metatarsal.

Abstract: A compressor-distractor device may be used during a surgical procedure, such as a surgical procedure to correct a bunion deformity. In some examples, the compressor-distractor includes first and second engagement arms having first and second pin-receiving holes, respectively. The first and second pin-receiving holes may be angled relative to each other. The compressor-distractor may also include an actuator operatively coupled to the first and second engagement arms. In some example uses, a clinician may pin a first surgical device to a patient's bones use a pair of parallel pins. After removing the surgical device over the parallel pins, the clinician may thread the parallel pins through the angled first and second pin-receiving holes of the compressor-distractor, causing the bones to move relative to each other. Thereafter, the clinician may actuate the actuator on the compressor-distractor to move the bones towards and/or away from each other.

Abstract: A driving pin can be used for installing a bone plate on a bone. In some examples, the driving pin has a driving pin body extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The driving pin body may define at least three regions of different cross-sectional thickness, including a bone penetrating region adjacent the distal end, a driving region adjacent the proximal end, and a bone plate orienting region between the bone penetrating region and the driving region. In general, the bone penetrating region has a smaller cross-sectional thickness than the bone plate orienting region and the bone plate orienting region has a smaller cross-sectional thickness than the driving region. The bone plate orienting region may be sized to conform to the size of a fixation hole extending through bone plate.

Abstract: A method of performing a bunion surgery may involve positioning a first portion of a bone positioning device over a first cuneiform and positioning a second portion of the bone positioning device over a first metatarsal with the bone positioning device extending across a joint separating the two bones. The second portion of the bone positioning device can be adjusted relative to the first portion about a first axis and about a second axis. The method may involve moving the second portion of the bone positioning device relative to the first portion of the bone positioning device about the first axis and the second axis, thereby moving the first metatarsal relative to the first cuneiform in a first plane and a second plane. The method may also involve fixing a position of the first metatarsal relative to the first cuneiform with a bone connector.

Abstract: A method of performing bunion surgery may involve attaching a bone positioning device to a first metatarsal and to a first cuneiform across a joint separating the first metatarsal from the first cuneiform. Attaching the bone positioning device can include inserting a first fixation pin into one of the first metatarsal or the first cuneiform and inserting a second fixation pin into an other of the first metatarsal or the first cuneiform. The method can involve using the bone positioning device to adjust an alignment of the first metatarsal relative to the first cuneiform; and, after adjusting the alignment of the first metatarsal relative to the first cuneiform using the bone positioning device, fixing a position of the first metatarsal relative to the first cuneiform with a bone connector.

Abstract: A technique for correcting a bone deformity, such as a bunion, may be performed using an instrument that defines a spacer body connected to a fulcrum. The spacer body portion of the instrument can be inserted into a joint space between opposed bone ends. The fulcrum body can be inserted between adjacent metatarsals. An angle set between the spacer body and fulcrum body can help properly position both features within different joint spaces for ensuring that subsequent steps of the surgical procedure are properly performed and instrumentation is appropriately aligned.

Abstract: A bone positioning guide may be used as part of a bunion correction procedure. The bone positioning guide can include a bone engagement member configured to be positioned on a medial side of a first metatarsal of a foot and a tip separated from the bone engagement member by a distance effective to position the tip on a lateral side of a second metatarsal and in an intermetatarsal space between the second metatarsal and a third metatarsal. The bone positioning guide can also include a mechanism operable to reduce the distance between the bone engagement member and the tip, thereby causing the first metatarsal to move in at least a transverse plane to reduce an intermetatarsal angle between the first metatarsal and the second metatarsal.

Abstract: An intra-osseous support structure can be used to fixate opposed portions of bone. In some examples, the intra-osseous support structure is positioned in openings formed in adjacent portions of bones. Fasteners are inserted through the bone portions to secure the intra-osseous support structure in the bones. Depending on the application, one or more external bone plates may also be applied to the bone portions. The external bone plate may be in compression while the intra-osseous support structure is in tension under load in situ.

Abstract: A technique for correcting a bone deformity, such as a bunion, may be performed using a fulcrum. In some examples, the technique involves inserting a fulcrum between a first metatarsal that is anatomically misaligned with respect to a second metatarsal. The technique further includes preparing an end of the first metatarsal and preparing an end of a medial cuneiform opposing the end of the first metatarsal. In addition, a distal portion of the first metatarsal is moved toward the second metatarsal in a transverse plane, thereby pivoting a proximal portion of the first metatarsal about the fulcrum and reducing an intermetatarsal angle between the first metatarsal and the second metatarsal.

Abstract: Devices and techniques for adjusting an alignment for a first metatarsal may include making a plurality of cuts along the length of the first metatarsal. In different applications of the technique, a plurality of transverse cuts may or may not be made intersecting the longitudinal cuts. In either case, the cuts can separate the first metatarsal into two individual portions and release a removable wedge of bone. The different portions of the metatarsal can be moved relative to each other to adjust an anatomical alignment of one portion relative to another portion, for example in multiple planes. After suitably adjusting the alignment of the different bone portions, the portions can be fixed together.

Abstract: A bone plate kit may be provided for a foot or ankle orthopedic procedure, such as a lapidus procedure. In some examples, the bone plate kit includes a sterile container that holds multiple unicortical bone plate fasteners and one or more bone plates. For example, the kit may contain two bone plates configured to be used together during a tarsal-metatarsal fusion procedure. Each of the two bone plates may be configured to span different regions of a tarsal-metatarsal joint. The unicortical bone plate fasteners can be used to secure the two bone plates to the first metatarsal and medial cuneiform of a patient undergoing a procedure. In some configurations, one of the bone plates is a helical bone plate while the other bone plate may or may not be a helical bone plate.

Abstract: A technique for correcting a bone deformity, such as a bunion, may be performed using a fulcrum. In some examples, the technique involves inserting a fulcrum between a first metatarsal that is anatomically misaligned with respect to a second metatarsal. The technique further includes preparing an end of the first metatarsal and preparing an end of a medial cuneiform opposing the end of the first metatarsal. In addition, a distal portion of the first metatarsal is moved toward the second metatarsal in a transverse plane, thereby pivoting a proximal portion of the first metatarsal about the fulcrum and reducing an intermetatarsal angle between the first metatarsal and the second metatarsal.

Abstract: Methods for temporarily fixing an orientation of a bone or bones. Methods of correcting a bunion deformity. Bone positioning devices. Methods of using a bone positioning device. Bone preparation guides. Methods of using a bone preparation guide.

Abstract: A bone positioning guide may include a main body member, a shaft, and a bone engagement member. The shaft can be movably connected to the main body member and have the bone engagement member rotatably coupled to its distal end. The bone engagement member can have a surface configured to engage a bone. The main body member can also include a tip opposite the bone engagement member for engaging a second bone. In use, the bone engagement member may be positioned in contact with a medial side of a first metatarsal while the tip is positioned in contact with a lateral side of a different metatarsal, such as a second metatarsal. The shaft can then be moved to advance the bone engagement member toward the tip, causing realignment of the first metatarsal.

Abstract: A bone plate can be used to fixate one or more bones. In some examples, the bone plate defines an elongated body having a plurality of fixation holes arrayed at different points along the length of the body. For example, the bone plate may have opposed fixation holes separated by a bridge. The bone plate may be bent or shaped along a central longitudinal axis extending through the elongated body and also twisted around the central longitudinal axis. The bending and twisting can position each fixation hole of the elongated body in a different plane in three-dimensional space.

Abstract: A method of performing a bunion surgery to correct an alignment between a first metatarsal and a first cuneiform may involve aligning a bone cutting guide with a joint between the first metatarsal and the first cuneiform. The bone cutting guide can have a joint plate offset from a guide feature, with the joint plate extending downwardly relative to the guide feature. The process of aligning the bone cutting guide with the joint may involve inserting the joint plate into the joint. The method may involve using the guide feature of the bone cutting guide to guide a cutting tool to cut a leading edge of the first metatarsal and adjusting an alignment of the first metatarsal relative to the first cuneiform using a bone positioning device. The method may also involve fixing a position of the first metatarsal relative to the first cuneiform with a bone connector.

Abstract: A bone positioning guide may include a main body member, a shaft, and a bone engagement member. The shaft can be movably connected to the main body member and have the bone engagement member rotatably coupled to its distal end. The bone engagement member can have a surface configured to engage a bone. The main body member can also include a tip opposite the bone engagement member for engaging a second bone. In use, the bone engagement member may be positioned in contact with a medial side of a first metatarsal while the tip is positioned in contact with a lateral side of a different metatarsal, such as a second metatarsal. The shaft can then be moved to advance the bone engagement member toward the tip, causing realignment of the first metatarsal.

Abstract: An osteotomy procedure may be performed to correct a misalignment of a bone, such as a bunion deformity. In some examples, the osteotomy procedure involves making a spherical-shaped cut transecting a first metatarsal, thereby forming a first metatarsal portion having a spherical-shaped projection and a second metatarsal portion having a spherical-shaped recess. The method further involves moving the second metatarsal portion in at least two planes relative to the first metatarsal portion, thereby adjusting an anatomical alignment of the second metatarsal portion.

Abstract: Methods for temporarily fixing an orientation of a bone or bones. Methods of correcting a bunion deformity. Bone positioning devices. Methods of using a bone positioning device. Bone preparation guides. Methods of using a bone preparation guide.

Abstract: A bone harvester and bone marrow removal system. The bone harvester can include a body defining a channel extending longitudinally therethrough from a distal to a proximal portion of the body. The distal portion can include a cutting tip. Bone marrow may be drawn through the channel.